Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch, Josh Davis and Rob Gandola. Topics up for discussion include; giant penguins, Blackbirds, Bullfinch, The Great Big Garden Bird Watch and Living Classrooms.

Terry Flanagan brings us news of a pair of Blackbirds in his own garden who have already started the construction of their nest, a rather unexpected occurrence in the month of January.

Richard Collins speaks to Josh Davis, Digital News Editor with the Natural History Museum in London about this remarkable discovery, how these extinct giant penguins lived and how they compare to their cousins who still swim in the southern oceans today.

Jim joins us to tell us more about what to expect on the big day and to fill us in on some of the most interesting recent avian observations at his bird table.

Terry Flanagan visits Co. Wicklow, the Garden County of Ireland, where he meets up with local resident and wildlife expert Rob Gandola, where they discuss an exciting new project called Living Classrooms.

Our panellists also discuss a bird which seems to be visiting garden bird tables and feeders with increasing frequency. The Bullfinch is a beautiful and unobtrusive little bird which especially loves to feed on flowers.

Researcher Michèle Browne travelled to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice in Cork to see an innovative programme where wildlife in is playing a key role in enhancing the well-being of patients, including those in the end-stages of life.

We revisit three of these Nature Notes with the people who wrote them, all of whom will be very familiar to regular Mooney Goes Wild listeners.

Jay's key strategy for coping with food shortages due to bad winter weather conditions is to plan ahead. Each autumn, Ireland’s Jays collect and bury vast quantities of acorns.

The weather here in Ireland has been pretty turbulent of late, we explore how some species of birds deal with high winds better than others, with those that feed mainly on insects and those that must spend the winter at sea generally finding it hardest.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch. Topics for discussion include birds in stormy weather, Jays, inedble insects, nature notes and wildlife playing a key role in enhancing the well-being of patients

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Michael Sheridan, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Terry Flanagan & Niall Hatch

Tune in to RTÉ Radio One from 15:00 this February Bank Holiday Monday to help us celebrate Ireland’s garden birds and the people who survey and conserve them, and don’t forget to let us know what you see on the day.

While on holiday on the Canary Island of Lanzarote recently, our RTÉ colleague Brian Lally sent us a very interesting video he filmed of a bird called a Cattle Egret collecting cockroaches. Terry and Niall discuss these fascinating long-necked, long-legged birds.

November saw European Hydrogen Week, which gave us the opportunity to speak to Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe about this exciting new fuel option and what it could mean for our planet.

Terry brings us an update on this magnificent mustelid, which is still thrilling visitors to the busy city park with its spectacular swimming displays and its "otterly" unusual tameness around humans.

Over the years, we have reported on the amazing spectacle of thousands of Starlings performing their murmurations over Belfast. We speak to RTÉ’s Northern Correspondent Conor Macauley, who has been to the Albert Bridge to see the spectacle for himself.

We kick off this first Mooney Goes Wild programme of 2024 with a series of questions all about birds, submitted to us by email over the festive period. Programme Researcher Michele Browne puts them to Niall Hatch to see if we can come up with answers for our loyal listeners.

This February, as part of our Nature On One series on Public Holidays, Mooney Goes Wild will be teaming up with BirdWatch Ireland, Ireland’s largest wildlife conservation charity, to bring you our inaugural live Great BIG Garden Birdwatch.

Derek is joined by Niall Hatch, Jim Wilson, Eric Dempsey, Éanna Ní Lamhna,Conor Macauley and Manchán Magan.

Author and Documentary maker Manchán Magan has a fantastic new book out that we know a great many Mooney Goes Wild listeners will love. Featuring wonderful illustrations by Steve Doogan, Wolf-men and 'Water Hounds: The Myths, Monsters and Magic of Ireland'.

For this New Year's Day, we have a special documentary from our Nature On One series entitled 'The Pigeon'. The programme is presented by Terry Flanagan.

Today's Mooney Goes Wild festive special is about a bird that is intimately associated in Irish tradition with St Stephen’s Day: the tiny Wren. As Niall Hatch tells us on tonight’s programme, these feisty little birds punch well above their weight.

For this Christmas Day, Derek and the team look at the six avian gifts that feature so prominently in the ever-popular festive song 'The Twelve Birds of Christmas', add six more for good measure and examine the origins of the composition and whether it actually qualifies as a carol or not.

Nature-enthusiast Gustavo Zoladz and Terry Flanagan admire an otter in an unexpected place, Dublin's Herbert Park.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Gustavo Zoladz, Terry Flanagan, Cormac Breatnach, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Michele Browne, Andrew Byrne and Nick Coughlan. Topics for discussion include the original Christmas bird, an otter in Herbert Park and the Wren.

Andrew Byrne of BrayVet in Co. Wicklow highlights one gift that you should definitely not give: a pet

On Christmas Day last year, we broadcast a Mooney Goes Wild special all about the two yuletide plants which feature in one of the most popular Christmas carols. One of the traditional Irish musicians who featured on Vanessa Williams' recording was whistle-player Cormac Breatnach. He talks to Derek Mooney and Éanna Ní Lamhna.

Michele Browne has been investigating the issue of roadkill for us, with some staggering and deeply concerning results.

Nick Coughlan of RTÉ Junior tells us about the latest batch of the Ireland’s Unreal podcast, presented by Hugh Cooney.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Researcher Michele Browne, Niall Hatch, Terry Flanagan and Richard Collins for this years Chrsitmas Special.

Éanna recently had the pleasure of speaking to a group of Iarnród Éireann workers about the abundance of wildlife that is to be found along Ireland’s railway network.

Jim Wilsona and Dr Alan McCarthy, Barn Owl Research Officer with conservation charity BirdWatch Ireland discuss the current influx of Short-eared Owls.

Jim joins us from Harper’s Island itself and fills us in on the wildlife that can currently be found there and how to experience and enjoy it at close quarters.

A Netflix documentary has been raising awareness of and public interest in one of the most fascinating and mysterious groups in the animal kingdom. Neuroscientist Dr Amy Courtney, originally from Dublin and now working at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England, admits herself that she has become obsessed with octopuses.

Our old friend, UK-based wildlife campaigner, naturalist and author (not to mention founder of International Dawn Chorus Day) Chris Baines happened to be in Malahide, Co. Dublin over the weekend. Derek took the opportunity to catch up with him and to hear first-hand some good news about his acclaimed book RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening.

According to ESB Networks, woodpecker-damaged electricity poles have emerged as an issue in parts of Ireland's, particularly in the southeast of the country.We discuss this novel issue, the ways in which it might be tackled and how Irish authorities can learn lessons about how to cope with woodpeckers from their counterparts in other countries.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Jim Wilson, Niall Hatch and Neuroscientist Dr Amy Courtney. Topics up for discussion include wildlife on the railways. octopuses, great spotted woodpecker, Harpers Island wetlands and Short-eared owls.

Louis O’Toole tells us about his newly-published book, 'The Spectacular Fungi of Killarney National Park' and sheds some light on these oft-overlooked organisms.

Our roving reporter Terry Flanagan recently travelled to Slane, Co. Meath to meet up with Dr Niamh Roche from Bat Conservation Ireland to find out more about the biology of bats and the research she will be conducting over the next few months.

“Birdman” Eric Dempsey chats to Niall Hatch about the Brent Goose, about the life and times of these remarkable birds: where they come from, what they eat, how they behave and how their population is faring.

Éanna Ní Lamhna chats to Derek about the wild garlic that's suddenly appeared in her garden and Richard Collins discusses how the jungle-like state of his garden may be impacting the value of his neighbours’ properties.

Regular panellist Niall Hatch joins us to chat about two of BirdWatch Ireland's surveys; The Irish Garden Bird Survey & The Irish Staring Murmuration Survey!

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Eric Dempsey, Niall Hatch & Reporter Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include Wild Garlic, The Irish Garden Bird Survey, The I rish Staring Murmuration Survey and more.

Keen to see his first ever Short-eared Owl, our intrepid roving reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to Newcastle in north-eastern Co. Wicklow. There, he met up with bird expert Eric Dempsey, who had news of not one, not two, not three but four of these amazing avian predators, all within minutes of his house.

This week, regular panellist Niall Hatch joins us from the picturesque town of Mandelieu-La-Napoule in the south-east of France, between the Mediterranean coast and the foothills of the Alps to discuss Wild Boars.

Niall Hatch and Herpetologist Gandola were out recording a report about frogs for RTÉ Radio One’s Nature Nights series when the spotted Sika.

Éanna Ní Lamhna chats to Derek about the Waxwing.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Terry Flanagan and Niall Hatch. Topics up for discussion include Wild Boars, Short-ear Owls, Waxwigs and Sika's.

The first Osprey chicks from a new National Parks and Wildlife Service reintroduction programme were released into the wild in August. Derek Mooney charts their progress.

Derek Mooney, Eric Dempsey and Niall Hatch discuss the Wader from Dublin’s Sandymount Strand, one of the most important wader habitats in the country  and find out why Ireland is so vital for their survival.

The first Osprey chicks from a new National Parks and Wildlife Service reintroduction programme were released into the wild in August. Derek Mooney charts their progress.

In this Mooney Goes Wild special we look at the fascinating project that is underway to reintroduce Eurasian Beavers in West London.

Éanna tells us about her new book which includes interesting facts from Rabbits eating their own poo to the creatures that feed on humans.

This week, we put Ornithologist Niall Hatch in the Mastermind hot seat, as we ask him to tell us about the most recent addition to that list: the Cape May Warbler.

Palaeontologist Dr. Tiffany Slater, join us to discuss her research into ancient feathers and to shed new light on some of the most astonishingly constructed objects in all of the natural world.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Reporter: Terry Flanagan and Palaeontologist Dr. Tiffany Slater.

Our Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, recently paid a visit to the "Dead Zoo", where he spoke to Paulo Viscardi, Keeper of the Museum, about the Giant Irish Deer.

Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, was in Dublin’s Natural History Museum. Founded in 1856, it is tucked away in a quaint Victorian building on Merrion Street. erry tells us more about the museum’s amazing insect collections.

Richard tells Derek how he noticed a lone Herring Gull who was engaged in what can only be described as a bout of tap-dancing.

Jonathan Beck is project leader of Airbus Fello’fly. He joins us on tonight’s programme from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to tell us more about how wild geese have been the inspiration behind a system that could revolutionise air travel.

We discuss the problem of bed bug infestations and the precautions travellers can take to minimise the risk of bringing home some unwanted souvenirs from their holidays. We also speak to an old friend of the programme, Katriona McFadden, about her own skin-crawling experience with these unpleasant little critters.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhn, Niall Hatch, Reporter: Terry Flanagan, Katriona McFadden and Johnathan Beck, project leader of Airbus Fello’fly.

One of our loyal listeners, Anne Hally, got in touch with the programme to let us know that, while taking a dip at Ardmore, Co. Waterford on 21st September, she spotted a flock of Brent Geese also swimming in the water. She wanted to know whether this was an exceptionally early sighting of these migrant waterfowl.

Ireland has one of the lowest levels of tree cover of any European country. As Éanna tells us on tonight’s programme, this is something that SPAR National Tree Day, which this year takes place on Thursday 5th October, aims to tackle.

To learn more about giraffes and their colouration, we are joined by Declan O’Donovan, Animal Care Manager at Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park. Declan is an expert when it comes to Giraffes.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Reporter Terry Flanagan and Declan O’Donovan, Animal Care Manager at Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park

Our panellists talk about one of their favourite creatures: the Giraffe. As Richard Collins describes for us, the manner in which our planet’s tallest land animals must splay their legs – essentially looking as though they are trying to do the splits – to reach down to quench their thirst is downright bizarre.

Two years ago, a new species of bee arrived in Ireland. The Ivy Bee was discovered in Co. Wexford. our Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan, to speak to Francis about Ivy Bees.

For many years on Mooney Goes Wild we consistently said that there were 99 species of Bee in Ireland. These two new arrivals – the Ivy Bee and the Hairy-footed Flower Bee – have brought the Irish bee total to 101 . . . but can Éanna name them all?

Catalonia, has long been regarded as one of the finest birdwatching destinations in all of Europe. It’s also a crucial breeding site, wintering habitat and migration stop-over for enormous numbers of birds.

Two years ago, a herd of Old Irish Goats was introduced onto Howth Head by Fingal County Council in an effort to prevent potentially devastating wildfire outbreaks. The goats’ rutting season is now underway, so last week Terry returned to Howth Head to catch up with Sinead Keane of the Old Irish Goat Society.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna & Richard Collins and Daniel C. Able, Co-author, Professor of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University and ur Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include birch seeds, air quality, goats and sharks.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the latest iteration of its annual air quality report and it reveals that, while air quality in Ireland is generally good , there are concerning localised issues which lead to poor air quality.

Daniel C. Able, Co-author and Professor of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University spoke to Richard Collins about his new book ' The Lives of Sharks: A Natural History of Shark Life'.

Éanna spoke to members of the Teagasc team about the value of hedgerows, and particularly native hedgerow plants, to a whole range of wild creatures, including mammals, birds and pollinating insects.

Derek noticed a large number of winged objects coming in his windows at home, and feared that he might have an infestation of insects on his hands. Derek need not have worried. Éanna’s gift has cleared up the mystery: she brought him some birch seeds.

This summer saw sea temperatures off Co. Donegal increase to levels 4°C above normal. While warmer sea temperatures might be pleasant for us humans when we take a dip, it can spell disaster for marine flora and fauna.

September is a time of year when many of our wild creatures take a bit of a break, or at least keep a lower profile than they have during the preceding months. it’s a busy time of year for many fish, too. Salmon and trout are beginning to mature, for example, which means that thoughts are turning to romance!

SeaMonitor is a unique marine research project studying the seas around Ireland, Western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Ken Whelan Niall Hatch, Paulo Viscardi, Dr Olga Lyashevsk. and Éanna Ní Lamhna Topics for discussion include migration, marine life and volcanos.

Marine Biologist Ken Whelan tells Derek all about his Saltwater Dectectives course.

Dr Michael Stock, Assistant Professor in Geochemistry at the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity College Dublin, has recently returned from studying volcanoes in the Galapagos. Éanna Ní Lamhna paid him a visit.

Dr Olga Lyashevska, formerly of the Atlantic Technological University in Galway and currently of the E-Science Centre in The Netherlands tells us more about the Ocean Sunfish.

Dr. Richard Collins was out making the most of the warm weather when he spotted a family of Mute Swans.

Derek spotted two pairs of Mallard ducks, who were clearly having a very vocal disagreement. Our experts discuss what may have been going on and just why these ducks were so agitated.

Marine Biologist Ken Whelan quickly dropped into the studio tonight to let us know about the fantastic Saltwater Detectives course that he and his colleagues will be running in Co. Louth over the course of three weekends, for the second year in a row.

Derek spoke to Niall Hatch, Richard Collins, Dr. John Carey and Animal behaviourist Blake Morton.

Animal behaviourist Blake Morton, who is based at the Department of Psychology of the University of Hull, is the leader of a research team exploring the Red Fox.

We speak to Dr. John Carey, who manages the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Corncrake Conservation Programme, about the work being done to ensure that this elusive species will have a future in Ireland and how habitat improvement schemes and building relationships with farmers and landowners are vital.

The recent spell of unseasonably warm weather may have been welcomed by plenty of people across Ireland, but what do unusually hot September temperatures mean for wildlife? For some animals it can bring benefits, whereas for others it can cause serious problems.

Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan pays a visit to the "Dead Zoo" speak to Museum Curator Paulo Viscardi about these amazing, almost other-worldly creatures.

Listener Nora Stuart twice spotted a Blackbird pecking on a frog.

Listener Catríona Maher made a most unexpected discovery: what she described to us as a "snail graveyard". Our panel dicuss what was found.

Éanna Ní Lamhna speaks to Associate Professor of Entomology at Washington State University, David James, co-author of 'The Lives of Butterflies: a Natural History of our Planet’s Butterfly Life'.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Richard Collins, Niall Hatch and David James, Associate Professor of Entomology at Washington State University, David James and Co-author.

Derek was present to witness first-hand as Ospreys were released from their holding pens and took their first flights in Irish skies, after be translocated from Norway.

Richard Collins was out for a walk with Derek in Dublin’s Fairview Park recently, when they came upon local resident Danny Rafferty feeding a Grey Heron. Danny feeds this particular bird every day and has even given it a name: Henno. Henno the Heron.

Derek is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Niall Hatch, Terry Flanagan,Max Barclay, Co-Author, Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor, Ulster Wild Life and Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS Topics for discussion include House Martins, Ladybirds, Heron's, Ospreys and Beetles.

Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan travelled to Dundalk to meet Peter Phillips of the Louth Branch of BirdWatch Ireland. Peter has erected perches from which he has observed the visiting Ospreys feeding. He is hoping to introduce nesting platforms over the next year or two.

We speak to Giles Knight, Environmental Farming Scheme Advisor with Ulster Wildlife, who has been monitoring the Fermanagh Osprey pair for the past three years. We also talk to Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS about what this will mean for the Osprey reintroduction programme south of the border.

Max Barclay, Curator of Beetles at the Natural History Museum in London and Co-Author of a new book entitled Beetles of the World: A Natural History speaks with our own resident beetle expert, Éanna Ní Lamhna about his new book.

Éanna recieved a video that shows a group of House Martins apparently burrowing into soil on the shores of Lough Derg. The panel discuss, how the birds were most likely collecting mouthfuls of wet mud to effect repairs to their nests.

Derek was recently bitten by a Ladybird that had landed on his arm. He didn’t even know that this was something a ladybird could or would do.

We visit locations from the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare to the Westman Islands, off the southwestern coast of Iceland, to explore the beauty and astonishing adaptations of the Puffins, as well as to see how conservationists are trying to turn the tide so that these unique creatures can have a future.

Éanna speaks to Tara Adcock, BirdWatch Ireland’s Urban Birds Project Officer, about the efforts underway to help the Swift once again survive, and indeed thrive, in many of its former urban haunts.

Derek is joned by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch, Éanna Ní Lamhna and Tara Adcock, BirdWatch Ireland’s Urban Birds Project Officer. Topics up for discussion include Pollinator gardens and weather stations, Swifts and Ospreys.

We speak to Dr. Philip Buckley of the NPWS about the reasons why the time is finally right to restore these astonishing apex predators to Ireland’s waterways and we hear a recorded commentary by Dr Duncan John Halley of the moment an Osprey chick was removed from its nest site at the top of a Scot’s pine.

What do you do with your garden? Gardens are havens for people with all sorts of interests, as we hear from our panellists on tonight’s programme.

Richard and Éanna give us the lowdown on the unusual mating habits of Newt's. Niall explains why some salamanders, close relatives of the newts, don’t need to mate at all, and Éanna (who else?) even tells us the origin of the expression "as pissed as a newt"!

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch and Terry Flanagan. Topics up for discussion include; the Great Crested Newt, Ring-necked Parakeet and Barrington’s Bird collection.

Terry and Richard meet with Paolo Viscardi, Keeper at the in Dublin, to talk about the massive Barrington bird collection, which is housed there today.

We are joined by Brian Burke of BirdWatch Ireland, who outlines the potential threats that the parakeets pose here in Ireland, should they become fully established in the wild.

we visit locations from the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare to the Westman Islands, off the southwestern coast of Iceland, to explore the beauty and astonishing adaptations of the Puffins, as well as to see how conservationists are trying to turn the tide so that these unique creatures can have a future.

Richard Collins recently took his grandchildren, who are all very keen photographers, to see the Eye on Nature photo exhibition at the National Botanic Gardens in Dublin.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Éanna Ní Lamhna, Author and Photographer Carsten Krieger and Secretary of The Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations. Topics us for discussion include wildlife photography, climate change and Bees.

Derek spoke to Author Carsten Krieger about his new photography book “Wild Ireland: A Nature Journey from Shore to Peak”

Derek and Eanna spoke to Ken Norton, Secretary of The Federation of Irish Beekeepers Associations about whats plants are best for pollination.

Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan and Author and Naturalist, Declan Murphy took a stroll along the wicklow coastline focusing on two plants that have been effected by climate change.

In this Mooney Goes Wild documentary, biologist Terry Flanagan discovers why the dandelion deserves our respect.

Biologist Terry Flanagan dispels the myths and highlights the important roles which bats play in the ecosystem. He also meets the dedicated teams of volunteers that work tirelessly on behalf of these oft-misunderstood creatures.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Éanna Ní Lamhna & Niall Hatch, Declan Murphy, Artist and Activist Katie Holten and Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project. Topics for discussion include; Áras an Uachtaráin garden party, Woodpeckers, Language of Trees and bringing lost birds of prey home.

President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina host a series of garden parties in the grounds of Áras an Uachtaráin for community group and Éanna Ní Lamhna tells Derek all about the experience and how she relished the chance to attend in all her finery.

Eamonn Meskell, who heads up the NPWS White-tailed Eagle Reintroduction Project, tells us about the efforts that have been made to return these magnificent creatures – Ireland’s largest native bird of prey – to their rightful place in our landscape.

Author, Katie Holten, is an Artist and Activist, born in Ireland and now living in New York City and Ardee, Co. Louth. She joins us to tell us more about the inspirations behind her new book ' The Language of Trees.

Bridget Kinsella, a listener from Co. Wexford approached Derek at Bloom to tell him all about a new avian arrival that she filmed visiting the hanging bird-feeders in her garden. The bird in question is a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Éanna outlines how the New Zealand Government has embarked on a campaign to eliminate these non-native mammals from as many of their country’s key conservation zones as possible, with a view to making more habitats free of alien predators.

James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal, happened to spot the Humpback Whale in Donegal Bay, an experience he describes as being "a nature lover’s lottery win".

While Derek and Éanna were recording tonight’s programme, RTÉ Radio Sound Engineer Síle Ní Bhaoill happened to pop into the studio to say goodbye. Síle will retire soon, after almost 43 years of service with RTÉ.

Derek spoke to Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wildlife Service about the migration route of the Cuckoo.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins & Éanna Ní Lamhna, Sam Bailey from the National Park and Wild Life Service, Simon Berrow, Irish Whale and Dolphin Group ,James Garvey, the Owner of Rossnowlagh Surf School in Co. Donegal and RTÉ Sound Engineer Síle Ni Bhaoil. Topics to discuss, exterminating predators, Cuckoo's and Whales.

Mooney Goes Wild reporter Terry Flannagan speaks to Daniel Meehan about his winning photograph, his photographic techniques and his very genuine surprise at coming up trumps amongst such an accomplished group of finalists.

On a recent visit to Cape Clear to record a segment for the upcoming new series of the RTÉ One television programme The Summer Show, Derek also recorded an interview with islander Mary Cadogan.

We speak with Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill, author of How to Speak Whale, to whom Biologist and Conservationist Roger Payne was a much-loved friend and mentor.

RTÉ jnr Producer, Nicky Coughlan, tells us about a special edition of the Ecolution podcast in which presenter Evie Kenny talks to primatologist Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost expert on Chimpanzees.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch and Biologist, Filmmaker and Writer Tom Mustill. Topics up for discusion include; Cape Clear Island, Ecolution, RTÉ's Eye on Nature and How to Speak Whale.

Derek spoke to all ten of our finalists about their photo techniques, the subjects of their entries and the inspirations they get from the natural world.

Éanna Ní Lamhna spoke to Derek and the panel about her new book 'Wild Musings'.

Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan spoke with two other members of our judging panel, award-winning natural history photographer Sheena Jolley and Dr Matthew Jebb, Director of the National Botanic Gardens, about each of the final ten images. Terry also chats with Nationwide co-presenter Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh.

Our own Richard Collins is no stranger to Rathlin, and on tonight’s programme he reflects on his recent trip there.

Derek is joined by Richard Collins, Terry Flanagan, Niall Hatch, Ecological Consultant Kendrew Calhoun and Jim Wilson. Topics up for Rathlin Island, Snails in Daffodil heads ,Lapwings, Beluga Whales and the origin of Dogs.

Mary Sommers from Oilgate, Co. Wexford has snails that are congregating in the heads of daffodils in her garden. We were determined to get to the bottom of the mystery for Mary ans who better to ask than Dr. Aidan O'Hanlon, Curator of Entomology at the National Musuem of Ireland and a former snail and slug researcher.

Evolutionary geneticist Prof. Greger Larson, a Director at the Palaeogenomics & Bio-Archaeology Research Network at the University of Oxford in the UK. speaks to Richard Collins from Oxford about what is being discovered about the Dogs ultimate origins.

Our Roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan spoke to Keith Earls, a Farmer based in north Co. Kildare about how he with the help of Bird Watch Ireland erected a fence to protect Lapwings in his land from predators.

Niall Natch has made a special report for us from the Beluga Whale Sanctuary, where he spoke with Thora Gisladottir and Jack Willians, a representative of the Sea Life Trust about the island’s two very special cetacean residents.

Niall Hatch spoke with the designer of the Fingal showgarden, Jane McCorkell, about the key elements of her creation.

Designer Daibhí MacDomhnaill of Áit Urbanism + Landscape tells us green landscaping is hugely beneficial in urban areas, as it helps to cool the cities, filter pollution and provide drainage. By removing 2 or 3 on-street parking spaces, we can free up room for a parklet on the street.

Motoring Journalist Michael Sheridan spoke with designer Nicola Haines and Marketing Manager at Citroën Ireland, Trevor Hunt in the Citroën Power of One showgarden.

Benny tells John Bela Reilly on tonight’s programme, he saw an opportunity to combine art and landscape with a sustainable approach to dairy farming.

Designers Liat and Oliver Schurmann spoke to Derek Mooney about their key aim when designing this arresting showgarden; namely, to express how important it is for very young children aged five and below.

Bord Bia Bloom, Ireland’s largest and most spectacular gardening event. Tonight’s edition of Mooney Goes Wild is a celebration of some of the most ambitious, innovative and inspirational exhibitors and gardeners at the festival.

Designer Darragh Collopy created an Asian-inspired Irish cottage garden aimed at a nature-loving vegetarian with a passion for biodiversity and meditation.

As the garden’s designer Declan Mc Kenna discusses with Derek Mooney on tonight’s programme, the planting scheme includes a colourful palette of low toxicity plants.

In this Nature on One documentary produced by the Mooney Goes Wild team, Biologist Terry Flanagan dispels the myths and highlights the important roles which bats play in the ecosystem. He also meets the dedicated teams of volunteers that work tirelessly on behalf of these oft-misunderstood creatures.

Derek Mooney and his team explain the history of the Dawn Chorus

On 10th and 11th of March 2023, the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference was held at UCC, it represented the first opportunity since Covid began for academics, researchers, conservationists and bird enthusiasts to learn about the latest scientific research into birds. Niall Hatch was on hand during the proceedings in Cork.

IWDG’s Simon Berrow and Mags Daly join us from our studio in Galway to tell us more about the Shannon Dolphin Project which is based out of the Shannon Dolphin Centre in Kilrush, Co. Clare.

Roving Reporter, Biologist Terry Flanagan. Terry contacted Wicklow-based, Naturalist and Author Declan Murphy to visit a colleague of Derek's Kim Burrows and see the land that he bought in Kildare, while Declan offered some advice

Botanist Dr. Therese Higgins, a Lecturer in MTU Kerry, speaks to Éanna Ní Lamhna about the potential extinction of one of our native Bluebells.

Éanna discusses her latest book with Derek, are our native Bluebells under threat? we visit land owned by Dereks colleague in Co Wicklow and the Sahnnon Dolphin Project.

Éanna’s latest book, entitled Wild Musings, will shortly be published by Beehive, an imprint of Veritas Publications. She tells us what we can expect from her new tome, which is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Irish wildlife.

In this documentary, Derek Mooney and biologist Terry Flanagan celebrate the blackbird, and its place in the avian world.

Derek played a clip of a recent interview with Author, Broadcaster and Television Producer Stephen Moss where he discussed some of the key examples we hope to hear during this year’s Dawn Chorus programme, such as the Chiffchaff and the Corncrake.

Gearing up for the Dawn Chorus, birds named after their songs, introducing Allan Farrell to the Mooney Goes Wild team, bats emerging from hibernation and wildfires in Killarney National Park.

On tonight’s programme, we speak to Eamonn Meskell, Regional Manager of the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s Southern Division, about the new measures to protect against wildfires at Kilarney National Park.

Biologist and Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan has a particular fondness for bats. To mark their seasonal reappearance in our skies, for tonight’s programme spoke with Dr. Niamh Roche of Bat Conservation Ireland about these amazing flying mammals.

The panel look ahead at this years The Dawn Chorus, which kicks off on midnight Sunday May 7th.

In a special report for tonight’s programme, Ornithologist and Broadcaster JimWilson introduces us to Naturalist Allan Farrell from, most fittingly, Cuskinny Marsh, who will be a member of Dawn Chorus team this year.

Derek travelled to Belvoir Forest Park in Belfast to speak to BBC Radio Ulster producer Jimmy Devlin about the Great Spotted Woodpecker. This bird was formerly absent from Ireland, but is now breeding here in increasing numbers.

Between 28th April and 28th May, the annual celebration of biodiversity called Burren in Bloom will be returning to that unique region of Co. Clare. Pranjali Bhave is Communication Coordinator with the charity Burren Beo and joins us from Kinvara in Co. Galway, right on the edge of the Burren, to tell us more about what is being planned.

Prof. Francis Ratnieks works at the Laboratory of Apiculture & Social Insects at the University of Sussex in England. He has been studying the recent appearance of the Ivy Bee in Ireland with great interest, he joins us from his home in Sussex to tell us about this new arrival to our shores.

Naturalist and proud Corkonian Jim Wilson speaks to aquatic biologist Frances Gallagher, about Irish Seaweed.

Niall Hatch was at a soil biodiversity conference in UCD. He speaks with Ronald Vargas of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations about his opening address, which was on the theme "Keep our planet alive – protect soil biodiversity".

Our roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan, is a big fan of Tulips, so we sent him to the Tulips display at the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. While there, he spoke to our good friend Dr. Matthew Jebb, the Director of the gardens, about the impressive floral feature.

For our live Dawn Chorus programme on Sunday 7th May, Ornithologist Eric Dempsey will be broadcasting live from BirdWatch Ireland’s East Coast Nature Reserve in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. Eric gives us a sneak preview of this wonderful bird and its remarkable song.

Drumming up support in Belfast ahead of The Dawn Chorus, Song Thrush setting the scene for The Dawn Chorus, a Tulips display at the National Bontanic Gardens, Glasnevin, celebrating soil biodiversity, Irish Seaweed, Burren in Bloom 2023 and the Ivy Bee.

Our roving Reporter, Terry Flanagan spoke to listener Damien Martin who is having trouble with feral cats in his garden since his dog passed away a how they a decreasing the pupulation of birds in the garden.

Éanna and Derek spoke to Naturalist, Chris Baines about wildlife gardening.

Niall Hatch is France and discuss the early start to French Dawn Chorus and the types of Birds Niall has come across. Our panel also look ahead at The Dawn Chorus which takes place in the early hours of Sunday 7th May.

Theresa Power, Lead Ranger at Fota Wildlife, spoke about the arival of new Ring Tail Leamers at the park.

Derek Mooney and guests explore the natural world in all its forms.

We speak to Shark Scientist Dr. Jenny Bortoluzzi about the unexpected appearance of a Smalltooth Sand Tiger Shark, along the Wexford shoreline, and discuss just why a species that is usually confined to tropical and temperate waters has suddenly turned up in Ireland.

Protecting our plant and animal life on earth and the measures being introduced, a rare shark found on Wexford shoreline, wild goats helping against gorse fires and exploring the deep sea.

Fisheries Scientist Ken Whelan and Niall Hatch disucss the Citizen Assembly final report on Biodiversity Loss which contains159 agreed recommendations

'The Deep Ocean: Life in the Abyss, an epic excursion into Deep Ocean is co- authored by Louise Allcock, Professor of Zoology, University of Galway chats to Fisheries Scientist Ken Whelan about shining a light on the lives of those denizens of the dark depths.

Due Gorse fires on Howth Head Fingal County Council decided to introduce Irish Goats to feed on Gorse. Our Roving Reporter Terry Flanagan, spoke to council’s goat-herder, Melissa Jeuken, and to Sinead Keane of the Old Irish Goat Society to find out how the animals are getting on.

Dublin’s North Bull Island is home to large numbers of vulnerable birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants, its a popular location for dog-walkers, which poses threats to wild animals and sensitive habitats in some areas. On the 30th of April Dublin City Council will introduce some coverservation measures which our panel discuss.

In March University College Cork hosted the 8th Irish Ornithological Research Conference. Ornithologist Niall Hatch was on hand to capture the atmosphere of The Bird Conference.

Celebrating the sucess of National Tree Week, a mystery animal in a Co Offally bog, Ten Birds that Changed the World, Stoats, a bird confernece and where do Seagulls sleep.

Éanna fills us in on how last month’s arboreal festivities went, as well as why we should all head the key messages of National Tree Week and plant some trees of our own.

Listener Cathal has encountered a large mamal bigger than a Pine Marten while on a walk 5 times since December. Our panel discuss the possability of it being an Otter.